In 1995, we all wanted a treehouse. Or at least, we wanted the kind of friendship where you'd hold a séance in a cemetery and ride bikes until the streetlights came on. Now and Then didn't just capture a vibe; it basically became the blueprint for 90s girlhood. But here's the thing about "then"—it eventually turns into "now."
Watching the movie back, it’s wild to see how much talent was packed into that Indiana summer. You had the child stars who were already veterans and the adult icons who were basically Hollywood royalty. But the paths they took after the credits rolled? Totally different. Some stayed in the spotlight. Some vanished. One story, unfortunately, ended way too soon.
The Young Cast: Where Life Took Them
It’s impossible to talk about the now and then movie actors without starting with the kids. They were the heart of the film.
Christina Ricci (Young Roberta) was already the "it" girl for anything slightly dark or tomboyish. She’d already done The Addams Family and Casper. Honestly, she’s probably had the most consistent career of the bunch. You’ve seen her lately in Yellowjackets or Wednesday, and she’s still got that same intense screen presence. She didn't fall into the "child star trap." She just grew up and kept working.
Thora Birch (Young Teeny) had a massive run right after this. She went from the glamorous Teeny to the disillusioned Jane in American Beauty and then Ghost World. But then, things got a bit quiet. There was some drama involving her father/manager that reportedly cost her a few roles, but she’s been making a comeback. She popped up in The Walking Dead a few years back and has been steadily doing indie projects.
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Gaby Hoffmann (Young Samantha) took a different route. She basically ditched Hollywood for a while to go to college and do theater in New York. It worked. When she came back, she became an indie darling, starring in Girls and Transparent. She’s got this very authentic, "no-nonsense" vibe now that feels a million miles away from the supernatural-obsessed Sam.
Then there is Ashleigh Aston Moore (Young Chrissy).
This is the part that still breaks people's hearts. Ashleigh was the naive, sweet one in the group. She did a few more things, like Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain with Christina Ricci, but she quit acting in 1997. Sadly, she passed away in 2007 at only 26 years old. While there was a lot of tabloid speculation at the time, the official reports cited complications from pneumonia and bronchitis. It’s a heavy footnote for a movie that’s otherwise so full of life.
The Grown-Ups: A Recent Reunion
The "Now" versions of the characters were played by some of the biggest names in the 90s. Interestingly, the child actors and adult actors were almost never on set at the same time. They were like two different productions running in parallel.
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The 2024 "Demi-ssance"
Just recently, in late 2024, there was a mini-reunion that went viral. Melanie Griffith, Rita Wilson, and Rosie O’Donnell all showed up at an ELLE Women in Hollywood event to honor Demi Moore.
Seeing them together as they hit their 60s was a trip.
- Demi Moore is having a massive moment right now with The Substance. Rosie O'Donnell actually called it a "Demi-ssance."
- Melanie Griffith (the adult Teeny) has mostly stepped back from leading roles but is constantly supporting her daughter, Dakota Johnson.
- Rita Wilson (the adult Chrissy) is more of a powerhouse producer and singer these days than just an actress.
- Rosie O’Donnell (the adult Roberta) has hopped between talk shows and prestige TV like I Know This Much Is True.
The Boys and the Background
We can't forget the "Wormer" brothers. Devon Sawa, who played Scott Wormer, became a total heartthrob shortly after Now and Then. He was the lead in Final Destination and the guy in Eminem's "Stan" video. He’s still very much in the game, recently starring in the Chucky TV series. He’s aged into a character actor role quite well, honestly.
There’s also a "what if" story involving Leonardo DiCaprio.
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He was actually supposed to be in the movie. He was cast as the Vietnam veteran the girls meet on their bikes, but he dropped out at the last second. Brendan Fraser stepped in and did a great job, but can you imagine if Leo had been in this too? The 90s energy would have been off the charts.
Why This Cast Still Matters
Usually, movies about "the good old days" feel dated within a decade. Now and Then feels different because the friendship felt real. It wasn't just about the 70s; it was about that specific age where everything is changing and you're terrified but excited.
The actors lived that out in real-time.
They faced the pressures of being child stars, the difficulty of transitioning to adult roles, and the reality of growing apart. Most of them are still close, or at least supportive. When they reunited for Demi Moore, it felt like the pact they made in the movie actually held up in real life.
What to Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic after catching up on the now and then movie actors, here is how to dive back in:
- Watch the "Demi-ssance": Check out Demi Moore’s recent work in The Substance. It’s a total 180 from her role as Samantha, but it shows why she’s still a powerhouse.
- Follow the Indies: Look for Gaby Hoffmann in C'mon C'mon. She gives an incredible, grounded performance that shows how much she’s grown as an artist.
- Stream the Soundtrack: Honestly, the 70s hits from this movie are still top-tier. Throw on some "Knock Three Times" and go for a bike ride. It’s cheaper than therapy.
- The "Wednesday" Connection: If you have kids (or just like Netflix), watch Wednesday. Seeing Christina Ricci interact with a new generation of "weird" girls is a great full-circle moment.